MEET our people

At Cool Ventures it's our people that make us special.

The Cool Ventures team consists of dedicated client programme co-ordinators and a brilliant group of expert associates who help us deliver our workshops as well as mentoring, coaching and one-to-one services.

Sue Marchant

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Sue heads up our team and oversees the running of the Company. In addition, she provides advice in strategic planning, business planning and finance for businesses.

She is a qualified Chartered Management Accountant, and has worked in senior roles across a number of sectors. Having run her own business for the last 15 years, she has an in depth understanding of the challenges business owners face when starting and running a business. Her passion lies with helping businesses to achieve their true potential.

In her spare time, Sue was inspired by her sons to take up karate and is a 1st Dan black belt. She also helps coach a boys’ endurance running team.

Beth Gibson-Stubbs

CLIENT CO-ORDINATOR – START-UPS

Beth is our Client Co-ordinator who looks after the pre-start businesses on our Start-Up programme. She is the first point of contact for business start-ups and ensures that they are supported through their programme.

Beth joined Cool Ventures after more than a decade at Nationwide, where she was an operations manager, and in the past she has also worked in the head office at Marks & Spencer and as a childminder. In her spare time, Beth, who is mum to two young boys, likes socialising with friends and family, and to relax practises mindfulness.

Laura Lewis

CLIENT CO-ORDINATOR – TRADING BUSINESSES

Laura Lewis is our Client Co-Ordinator who looks after trading businesses on our programme and is the first point of contact for businesses wishing to book onto one-to-ones and workshops. She also organises our events and marketing.

She has a first class degree in Economics and a Masters in International Management with a specialisation in marketing. Laura has over five years’ experience in marketing, client account management and sales. In her spare time, Laura loves spending time with her boys, cooking and getting crafty.

EMMA SMITH

START-UP AND MICRO BUSINESS ADVISER

Emma is an accredited business adviser specialising in working with businesses at the start up stage and during their early years of trading. She has assisted hundreds of people in the Bristol and Bath area to start a business.

Emma has been in business herself since 2005, both as a sole trader and a limited company director, and currently runs property rental and estate administration businesses. She fully appreciates the challenges business owners face when starting and running a small business.

In her spare time, Emma likes catching up with family and friends, going out dancing, horse riding and walking in the countryside.

Peter Bridge

START-UP AND MICRO BUSINESS ADVISER

Peter is a business adviser specialising in working with new businesses.

He joined the Cool Ventures team after spending several years helping unemployed people and those with long-term health problems set up their own businesses through the national training provider Working Links. Prior to this Peter managed a large portfolio of corporate and commercial accounts for HSBC bank and oversaw lending that totalled £250 million.

In his spare time he is a keen golfer, all round sports enthusiast and enjoys spending time with his two grandsons.

Rachel Sweet

FUTURE BRIGHT PROJECT MANAGER AND SALES AND MARKETING BUSINESS ADVISER

Rachel Sweet is a positive and proactive business development adviser, trainer, presenter, project and event manager, with over 20 years of experience in business sectors such as education, retail, hospitality, tourism, financial services, care and the public sector. Rachel is knowledgeable about business development and passionate about discovering ways to save time and generate income.

With a passion for people development, technology and marketing, Rachel enjoys bringing valuable skills, support and resource to businesses to help them develop staff, generate new customers and look after existing customers to help the business flourish.

In her spare time Rachel loves to travel whenever possible and spend quality time with family and friends. Festivals, concerts and events are always in her social calendar.

Get In Touch

Why not get in touch to see how we can help your business enterprise to flourish and grow.